My Life now…

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Jacqui

Life changed for me on April 4th. Chris and I were in Palm Springs looking at property when I got the call. It was my sister -in- law calling… ”Jacqui, its your mother…” I knew immediately … My heart dropped and my Life changed…

Its a very different feeling when your mother passes on… unexplainable really… What do you do…

Chris sprung into action re- arranging our flights, getting us back to Los Angeles, back to NYC, and then to Connecticut.

My Father, My Sister, My Brother… all of us in shock… planing a funeral… My Mom knew how to do everything, I wanted to call her and ask here how to plan a funeral… I  actually picked up the phone many times to ask her advice… thats what I always did… I called my Mom for answers… what now…

Over those following days I learned a lot… I learned about myself, my family and my friends.

Chris was an absolute support for us all… I could not of gotten through it with out him, and I will always be grateful… He is my hero…

These are the times you find out who your friends are… I have gotten so many calls, texts, emails, cards… people sent flowers, fruit and food…

I am humbled by the out pouring of love for my Mother and my family… I am so thankful to everyone… thank you, thank you…

I am amazed by my Father. His strength and bravery are unsurpassed… I have learned so much about life by watching him. His loyalty, His integrity , His love for my mother… He is a Man amongst Men… I am speechless…

The most melancholy thing to me about death, is that life goes on. I am struck by that daily…

I love you Mom  and I will miss you everyday…

Posted in Jacqui's Splash, News

Its a wonderful life

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Jacqui

Chris and I are in Connecticut. It snowed last night… It was beautiful…We came to our house for a couple of days to relax. It sure has been a world wind of a month… Fun, exciting and exhausting…and I love it!!!

The LA producers came for a couple of days, that was so much  fun…We are now reviewing footage. The boys are not only great dancers and bartenders, but are smart and savvy on film. Im really proud of them… I’m proud  and grateful we have such a great staff, and successful business… I truly am…

I ‘m thankful for my wonderful life…

 

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash

November what?

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Jacqui

It’s almost the end of November… OMG!!!

What a busy past couple of months…

Flaming Saddles celebrated our 13th month anniversary… And they said we would not make it a year HA!!!

We had a great party, full of regulars, staff and laughs. I would like to thank everyone for their support, and love of our bar… We are sincerely grateful…

We also had a wonderful thanksgiving at the bar, for all of our staff… The Amish market sure does make a fabulous turkey. The day consisted of food, booze… Scottie , Dane and Jonathon turning into a boy band, belting out songs and doin’ several little improv numbers…Quite the show boys…

Chris and I have been traveling… Spreading the Flaming Saddles Brand… That has been the most fun. We have been welcomed in every city we have visited…

Next it’s overseas, the interest from you all is humbling…

I am positively the most happiest at this time in my life. I am doing what I want!!!

Creatively it is unparalleled…business wise FS has exceeded my wildest projections… and personally, well personally my life is off the charts..

Anyone who feels unsatisfied, unchallenged,and unappreciated …Yet fearful of change…

Just do it!!! Success awaits you!!!

I smile everyday, and say thank you to the universe…

Yippy ki yay and namaste

Its November what?

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash

Oh Rambo !!!

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Jacqui

One of our original Bandits, is loading up his wagon and hittin the trail…

Tom Rambo…Or as I like to call him just ” RAMBO”

He was hired before we opened the bar, and went through my 2 week boot camp with all the other original Bandits.

I have a great talent for interviewing and hiring staff. Rambo was no exception.I remember it we’ll…

He was quite , very polite and sooooooo handsome. His body was cut from stone, and he could bartend… I liked him from the second he walked in to Flaming Saddles.

Then the training began… we started to dance. The boys would come in everyday, and I would teach them the dances, and how I wanted them to move, and introduced them all to my style of dance ” Bardance ”

I lined the boys up, all so eager , ready to go…and there was Rambo …directly in front of me… He was in the same spot day after day…And day after day I taught and they danced. Rambo all the time directly in front of me …front and center…I referred to him as my dance partner. We all would dance, sweat, laugh… I still think these rehearsals were my favorite part of opening this bar.

The boys worked hard… And Rambo was no exception…

I knew he was not a trained dancer, but saw how much he loved to dance… and I must say that Dance loves him. He developed his own Rambo style that was exciting to watch and perfect for Flaming Saddle. He picked up the steps with ease and had a smile that was beaming from within…When Rambo dances, it is like the music plays through him… I think even he was surprised… I bet he never thought he would stay bartending at a country western saloon, dancing on the bar for the next 11 months… But that is exactly what he did.

Rambo, I still love to watch you dance on the bar (even Chris is known to say ” gotta admit, ya can’t take your eyes off the son of a gun!”)

I am greatful for all your hard work and dedication. I am proud of you and will always welcome you back to Flaming Saddles . Chris and I wish you all the love and happiness …

You will be missed…

God bless, God speed ..

Happy Trails…

Oh RAMBO… Xx

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash

Summer in the city

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Jacqui

I can’t believe it is already August…

It has been quite a summer…we have traveled,worked and laughed…

Flaming Saddles has been filled with people, it really is a joy to look around on any given night and see our patrons having such a good time…

I am humbled and grateful!!!

Posted in Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash

Dancin Again

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jacqui

The bandits and I had rehearsal yesterday, and I taught them a new dance. They were all there at noon, cowboy boots on and ready to go…

It was so much fun for me… I love to teach my dances, and see the finished product on these boys… It is truly a pleasure to work with our staff, they all have so much talent…

So excited and can’t wait to premier it this Friday night…

Indeed, Dancin Again…

Posted in Events, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash

Happiness and Pride

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jacqui

I could not be happier…

We participated in the gay pride parade.I must say it was one of the most moving experiences of my life… To be a part of this parade was amazing and humbling

Chris and I,as well as all the boys were on our float. We had a white horse, bales of hay , and cowboy hats. It was a glorious sight… Chris DJ’d the whole route, getting the crowds going, and we had country music blaring… It was Flaming Saddles on wheels…. The crowd loved it, cheering, clapping and singing as we passed…

I want to thank our bandits ! Jonathan, Rambo, Kris, Steven, Russ, Dean, Vance, Gerald and Nate…They danced , hooted and hollered the whole way… Their excitement was contagious and their energy unsurpassed … Thank you..

We have just found out we are nominated for one of the 2012 NYC Pride March Awards…. Ceremony is July 26th…

We could not be more Happy Happy Happy and of course full of Pride!

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash, News, Press

Did you say Hoedown…

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Jacqui

Its Friday night, I am in the bar, and could not be happier… We are packed… As I look around the room I cant help but smile… People are singing along to every country song that blares from the juke box… The music , the boys, the beer… all in perfect rhythm for yet another heartfelt hoedown at the Flaming Saddles Saloon…

” I heard there was a hoe-down, I came to help the bitch up… Are you Jacqui ? ” … Bianca Del Rio

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash

Food,Frito, and Fun Fest

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Jacqui

Flaming Saddles participated in the 9th ave food Festival this past weekend. It was amazing. We had a stand selling our famous Fito pie!!! The boys danced in the street …so much fun… Stopping traffic, and creating quite the crowd… The boys worked hard and it was great for FS and the whole neighborhood…

Craig our barback worked Friday night a double on Saturday , walked in the AIDS Walk Sunday morning, worked a double Sunday, and then worked Monday as well…

#Sweet Jesus Mary … Good job!!!

I thank you all and look forward to the next fest …

Which ever fest it shall be…

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Events, Jacqui's Splash

Bandits to Bandits

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Jacqui

So yes it is Sunday… The Saddle is hoppin!

But Yesterday I went to Randalls Island (for the 1st time ) to watch our softball teams season opener… So much fun… It was a double header, they lost one and Won one… I learned a lot about the game, but as usual I was distracted by our cute uniforms, and great butts lol, Chris played and looked great in the white baseball pants… just sayin!!!

Go Bandits!!!

We came back to the saddle , and got on the Harley…We parked it in front of Casellula and had dinner…they loved the bike… We love their food!!!

Then we went for a ride on the west side, and ended up at Hogs and Heiffers… I have not been their in a while, it was really fun… people  recognized me and I got many congratulations on opening Flaming Saddles… That is the very best compliment ,truly, and I thank you!!!

After a few drinks we got back on the bike, and started our trip back uptown… Well thats when the fun really began… We got caught in a fierce rain storm …that’s right…heavy rain and high winds…   there was nothing we could do but continue to ride… So we did…  Needles to say we were soaked to the bone and freezing cold but laughing… It still was so much fun, our adventures are always crazy but always fun…

We got back to the Saddle and it was packed, so great to see… Everyone was having such a good time, love that!

The boys were putting on a fabulous show , while seamlessly slinging drinks…

Smiling …I went  to get warm and put on dry clothes, realizing I was ending my day the same way I started..

Happy and grateful, saying the same 2 words…

GO BANDITS!!!

 

Posted in Bandit Bartenders, Flaming Saddles Saloon, Jacqui's Splash, News